What Excess Fat Does to Your Body, Mind & Energy Levels

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Why I Wanted to Talk With Craig

I sat down with Craig Emmerich to clear up a lot of confusion I see in the keto and carnivore world. People often get one piece of the puzzle and turn it into gospel. Craig and I talked about why fat cells matter, how energy can become toxic, and why one size does not fit all. I want to share the simple, useful parts so you can make better choices without the noise.

What does "Personal Fat Threshold" Mean?

Fat cells are where your body stores extra energy. Each fat cell can only stretch so far. When many cells get too full, they become inflamed and start to reject insulin. That pushes fat and sugar into places they don't belong, like the liver and blood. That is how insulin resistance and fatty liver begin.

People are different. Some of us make more fat cells. Some of us cannot make many new cells after childhood. That means two people who look very different can have similar metabolic problems. Genetics matter.

Why Calories and Energy Still Matter

You will hear a lot of advice to "eat fatty meat until full" and forget calories. For some people, that works. For many others, it makes the problem worse. If your body has no safe place left to store energy, adding more fat or carbs just spills energy into the bloodstream and organs.

Energy toxicity can start from too much dietary fat or too many carbs. If glucose stores are full, the body will convert extra carbs into fat. Either way, excess fuel can drive insulin resistance.

How to Know if You are at Your Threshold

Here are simple tests that help more than guessing:

• HOMA-IR: uses fasting glucose and fasting insulin to estimate insulin resistance.
• Fasting Insulin + Fasting Triglycerides: if both are high, that is a red flag.
• Adiponectin: a hormone from fat cells. Lower levels can mean unhappy fat cells, but this test is harder for most doctors to read.

Use these numbers as tools. They tell you what to tweak.

Protein, Carbs, and Fat: Where to Tweak

Protein is rarely the problem for weight loss if you eat real food. Many people, especially older women, do not eat enough protein. That leads to lost muscle and a slower metabolism.

Carbs and fat both supply energy. If you need to lose weight or fix blood markers, look at total energy first. For many people, eating less added fat or lowering carbs will move the needle. Add strength training to protect and rebuild muscle.

Carnivore and Keto: Use them as Tools

These diets can be powerful tools for autoimmune issues, mental health, and inflammation. But they are not magic for everyone. If you try carnivore and see bad labs or stalled weight loss, it does not mean the diet failed forever. It means you might need to tweak energy intake, add back safe carbs, or look at other causes like infections or stress.

Life, Hunting, and Balance

Craig and I also talked about hunting and why getting outside matters. Hunting reconnects you with nature, teaches respect for food, and gives perspective. That same thoughtful approach applies to diet. Be practical. Find what you can live with long-term. That is where real results come from.

Quick Takeaways

• Fat cells have limits. When they are full, metabolism breaks down.
• Energy matters. Calories are just another word for energy.
• Test, don't guess. Use fasting insulin, triglycerides, and HOMA-IR.
• Protein is important. Don't under-eat it if you care about muscle.
• Carnivore and keto work for many, but they must be adjusted to the person.

FAQ

Q: How do I know if I am insulin resistant?

A: Check fasting insulin and fasting glucose and use HOMA-IR. Also, look at fasting triglycerides. If insulin and triglycerides are high, that is a sign that  your fat cells are not taking up more fat.

Q: Can long-term carnivore damage my thyroid or hormones?

A: Not if you do it right. Make sure you eat enough quality protein and calories for your situation. If labs change, add back carbs or calories, and check for other issues like infection or stress.

Q: Is protein bad for weight loss?

A: No. Protein helps preserve muscle and keeps your metabolism higher. Most people do not overeat protein from whole foods.

Q: I'm stuck on my diet. What should I change first?

A: Measure your fasting insulin and triglycerides. Then adjust total energy: reduce added fat or carbs depending on your results. Add strength training to rebuild muscle and raise your metabolic rate.

Where to Learn More

If you want more on this conversation, Craig has two books, "Keto: The Complete Guide" and "Carinvor Cookbook," along with a ton of other resources on his Instagram. If you want a clear, step-by-step system that combines keto with smart training and calorie control, join my Free Bodybuilding Masterclass. I walk you through the exact phases I use with clients. It was a pleasure to speak with Craig, and I'll catch you all on the next one.

Stay Savage,

Robert Sikes